National Clothesline

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Hoffman New Yorker has introduced a new tensioning form finisher, the Judi II, which combines the standard steam air form with a tensioning system for high quality finishing.

Ten different programs are available to handle different types and styles of garments, Each program can be modified to satisfy individual finishing requirements. It can handle jackets, coats, shirts, sweaters and most outerwear.

The unit is designed for unskilled labor allowing for minimal training time.

The height adjustment is controlled by a photocell, automatically moving the form to the proper pressing position. Front, rear and side clamps tension the garment, which, when combined with the steam and air, produce a garment that requires minimal pressing.

Override switches let the operator eliminate some or all of the tensioning to make finishing delicate fabrics easier. This feature eliminates over-stretching garments with elastic buttons.

The unit can compliment any wetcleaning system since it will reduce the finishing time of wetcleaned garments. Its compact design requires less space than standard form finishers.

PROSPERITY, SC — Aqua Products has introduced a new line of horizontal package chillers for the drycleaning industry. The Company Roof Top, or RT, series was developed for areas that

require low-profile installations.

The new line ranges from one-half to 20 tons in both air-cooled and water-cooled models. The RT series can be built as a straight chiller or can include an internal tank and/or pump built into the same cabinet. They are ETL listed and built completely into a single horizontal cabinet. They can also be installed at ground level.

The RT chiller come standard as a 208-230/60/1 or 208-230/60/3 with single point main power. An optional 460/60/3 version is available on some models. Also standard is a 24-volt control system installed and factory tested. Other standard features are a digital controller, flow switch, high efficiency helical evaporator and factory-run testing to ensure performance on delivery. Each RT chiller comes with a five-year compressor warranty and a one-year parts replacement warranty.

HAPEVILLE, GA — Union Drycleaning Products USA has a new, free 12-page, full color brochure on the company’s new 2003 line of L&P 800 Series U-2000 drycleaning systems. The brochure highlights new feature and provides technical specifications for all of Union’s perc systems in 40-lb to 95-lb. load capacities, including the SlimSpace Systems designed for plants with limited floor space and for attendant-serviced coin laundries.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Laidlaw has revised the A-B-C’s of Wetcleaning manual to include tips on how use its Khaki Klean and Khaki Size.

The company is offering copies of the booklet to anyone who requests one. Samples of Laidlaw’s wetcleaning products are also available.

TULSA, OK — Fire Load from Royaltone is a batch additive that is added to the drycleaning or wetcleaning wheel to remove soot and smoke stains from fire damaged garments and household items.

Fire Load can be used in any drycleaning fluid, in any drycleaning machine and in any wetcleaning or laundry washer.

For drycleaning, add Fire Load to the wheel at a ratio of two ounces per ten pounds of fire damaged items to remove soot and smoke stains. Batch clean in any drycleaning fluid for five minutes with no filter.

For wetcleaning, add Fire Load to the wash water at a ratio of two ounces per ten pounds and wash for five minutes to remove soot and smoke stains.

DEER VALLEY, UT — Westgate Software, the developers of SPOT, has announced support for a direct interface between SPOT and The Marketing Shop, which provides advanced marketing analysis, research and services to the cleaning industry.

The Marketing Shop is a full-service database marketing company with statistical processes to increase customer retention and loyalty, new customer acquisition and business analysis. The Marketing Shop has expertise in marketing research, competitive analysis and value paradigms among other customer-focused tools.

The interface helps SPOT users identify which customers form the core of the business and which may have fallen out of their “buying trend.” The information is presented in an easy-to-view marketing tab. SPOT’s customer rating field is also updated, assisting clerks with decisions at the counter.

The interface also lets SPOT users obtain address validation, profitability analysis and statistically calculated customer ratings automatically. These services can provide a direct advantage in acquiring new customers

DOWNINGTOWN, PA — A three-volume training series, available on video tapes and DVD, on wetcleaning teaches both cleaning and pressing techniques by watching an instructor run his plant on a daily basis for several years.

Wet Cleaning Volume I teaches how to wetclean for profit using techniques that let you operate your wheel at 80 percent capacity for more efficiency It shows how to minimize problems and maximize cleaning quality, how to separate, prespot, correct problems and wetclean garments of wool, silk, rayon and other fabrics. The techniques were developed over three years at Dolphin Cleaners, a 100-percent wetcleaning plant.

Volumes II and III show how to finish garments better and faster whether wet or dry-cleaned. Use of the form finisher, tensioning topper, air board, legger and utility press and hot head press are demonstrated.

The training videos and DVDs are useful for experienced as well as new employees. Joe Ballato, who created the series, owned and operated his cleaning business for eight years.

RANDOLPH, NJ — The Door Emission Control (DEC), by Tatch Technical Services, can be installed on any drycleaning machine to reduce perc odors from normal operations. Introduced for compliance with New York State requirements, the DEC can be used to eliminate emissions from closed loop drycleaning machines located in mixed-use settings. Odors that occur when loading/unloading garments, changing filters, cleaning lint screens and button traps may cause complaints, leading to unwelcome attention. These odors can be controlled with the DEC. An older, third-generation machine can have less fugitive emissions than a new fourth-generation machine.